Friday, July 16, 2010

The summer issue is out for Coastal Grower. I am defiantly excited about my first two page spread in a glossy magazine. Liz MacDonald wrote about my growth and work as an artist. Liz is a freelance writer based in Marina, California. She is currently working on a book about the nature of beekeeping and the nature of the American workplace. One of her travel essays will appear in the upcoming Lonely Planet anthology, A Moveable Feast. She has also published work in Reed Magazine and other literary journals. You can reach Liz here : lmacdonald@rocketmail.com

If you are not a subscriber to Coastal Grower you can pick up your copy at Star Market in Salinas. Subscribe to Coastal Grower Today! Four issues annually for only $20!

The last time I was in a glossy magazine, I was around six year old. I entered the Chickadee cover contest and won. I was so excited, I received a very cool counting book and an anthology of Dr. Seuess writings which I still have today.

Onward! The next few days I hopped around and came across some very cool art.

I met up with muralist John Pugh and it was time to go to the Museum of Fine Art, Boston to be educated! Although the John Singer Sargent collection was put away, I was able to see one of his trompe l'oeil murals and a few of his masterpieces. Gogh's 'The Sower' is in Boston from The Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam. It was so jaw dropping to be able to see such a huge variety of his paintings that I had not seen in person. There was also a supurb exhibition on 'The Secret of Tomb 10A: Egypt 2000BC'. The detail of the paintings and complexity of the language and stories is so inspiring.

The East Coast showers came and we went. From Boston to peachy Savannah, Georgia.

Research and development is the name of the game. When I created 'Kelp Forest' as a student at CSU, Monterey Bay, I researched and studied just as much as I painted. I researched with the Monterey Bay Aquarium at thier Research Labs, I also lived with a fellow peer who studied marine science at CSU, Monterey Bay.

So, let's start. There is a potential project for the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). John and I went to the college and soaked up the history and checked out their painting department and scoped out potential walls for the project. I really love Savannah. I learned so much. SCAD plays a huge role in the development of the city. SCAD has over 10,000 students and has repaired about 60 dilapidated buildings that they use for classes, restaurants and selling art. I learned about Oglethorpe and Chief Tomochichi and the 24 squares which are now 22 squares. There is movie history there as well from 'Forest Gump' to 'Something To Talk About' to 'Treasure Island'. I found out that a pineapple outside a house means welcome. I learned about sailors and hospitals, trade and bricks, indoor plumbing and open arm staircases. If you are in Savannah go to Leopold's Ice Cream for a treat best ice cream since 1919. The International Seamens House has bibles in 500 different languages. I learned about the Old Pink House and the first church. Savannah is RICH with history and stories. It is so interesting to go around walking and seeing the buildings and the fresh innovative art by the students from SCAD. SCAD just opened a campus in Atlanta, and they also have opportunities for students to study abroad. Here is a glance at SCAD and Savannah. John and I did real well, he took the photographs and I took notes, great team work. Just a side note the state insect is the honey bee.

Art at SCAD

Back outside to scope out Savannah.

We were walking around one night and this wall jumped out at us. Is it screaming for a mural, or what?

From Savannah to Barbados for another potential mural project. It was my first time going to Barbados. For the six days I was there, I had my palm sized notebook with me everywhere I went, as a matter of fact I was starting to be introduced as a scribe. The research is one of my favorite parts. I love being introduced to new people, learning new cultures and histories. Having people who really know the landscape always makes for special moments and tapping into the core of communities.

It was very interesting to spend time in Boston and then go to Savannah and then go to Barbados, as I started to learn more about the triangular trade. It was amazing to see the bricks in Savannah and Barbados, everything is connected. The architecture was similar, and did you know, George Washington stayed in Barbados. Barbados is the only island in the Caribbean that is formed by two plates, the Caribbean and Atlantic plates, Barbados is also the farthest island to the East. Well I could go on, I took six days of notes you know. Here are some shots of the island and a good look of the wall for the potential mural for Speightstown.

Let's just get right in it, no time to waste. From land to sea, green monkeys to bread fruit, sweaty skin to fresh fish. I was lucky enough to meet many community members and really sink into the history of Barbados. Sugar cane, sugar cane, like cultures and communities all over the world Barbados is changing. Depending on what part of the island you go there are people everywhere, or you can find a beach all to your self. The people I met along the way are so wonderful and giving. Barbados is a truly unique place.

From Barbados, back to sweet California. My mind is full of colors, shapes, feelings, and smells. When I got back I found out 6 of the chickens were eaten by some animal during the night, lucky for me, little Umber survived. Not too much rest here as there are deadlines and new mural projects coming in. It was a wonderful inspiring time, now, back to the studio.